There is no prohibition against inviting candidates to speak at graduation rites, but the Department of Education (DepEd) discouraged school officials from doing so.
“Inviting candidates to graduations is not prohibited per se,” the DepEd said in a statement.
“But it is highly discouraged this election season because it may be misinterpreted as an endorsement,” the DepEd added.
The department said even if candidates’ presence at graduation rites was “supported by valid and compelling reason,” the guest would still be barred from turning the ceremony into a campaign gimmick.
School officials, the DepEd said, are also barred from explicit endorsements of candidates.
“The graduation speaker should stick to theme and not bring campaign materials or paraphernalia,” the DepEd said.
Neutrality
Since the start of the campaign season, the DepEd has taken pains to be viewed as neutral.
The department has issued a memo listing “partisan activities” from which school officials and employees should keep away.
In February, the Commission on Higher Education went a step further, saying that it would issue a memorandum banning higher education institutions from inviting candidates as graduation speakers.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said school officials had “access to people, resources and, most important, the power to influence.”